Bright Colors. Smiling Faces.
By: Aoife Healy
Walking into North Georgia Pediatric Dentistry you are greeted with bright colors and smiling faces. The office feels fun and whimsical with a modern flair. It’s an office that caters to young children as well as teens and their parents: not one wallpaper cartoon character in sight!
Those who frequent NGPD will recognize Amber Halper at the front desk greeting patients, chatting with parents, and high-fiving the kids. “Being a mom myself, I love being able to relate personally to the parents as well as put myself on the child’s level making them feel equally important,” said Amber, “Seeing the kids running in the door excited to come to the dentist is my favorite part of each day.”
Dr. Chris Halper met his wife, Amber, their freshman year at Georgia Southern University. While she went on to complete her Masters in Finance from GSU, Dr. Halper transferred to Penn State University to finish a degree in Sports Medicine and Cardiac Rehabilitation. While completing his cardiac rehabilitation residency at Johns Hopkins, he knew he loved the bond and trust cultivated through patient interaction. After graduation he enjoyed a successful career in pharmaceutical clinical research but soon realized that he missed that bond between doctor and patient. As he was deciding to go back to school for dentistry he took some time to coach high school baseball and basketball. Being able to help kids learn and grow reinforced his choice to study Pediatric Dentistry at Temple University. “Growing up, my parents fostered children in need, I think that’s where my passion for working with children comes from,” Chris stated.
After finishing the dental program at Temple University, he went on to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children to complete the additional two years in residency required to specialize in Pediatrics. “Working with children is a true calling and something that rightfully requires further training” said Dr. Halper.
Having worked in the dental industry for some years, he realized that he wanted to bring a new outlook to the business. “I wanted to build an office that was more intimate and personable,” he said, “Opening my own practice was the only way to truly commit to the quality of care I wanted to provide.”
North Georgia Pediatric Dentistry opened its flagship location in Braselton and expanded to its second location in Sugar Hill on January 18th, 2013. “Our mission is striving to build lasting relationships with families and children while promoting optimal oral health.” Dr. Halper said. With its “open bay” hygiene rooms NGPD works to create an atmosphere where children can learn by example. “If a child can physically see another child calmly undertaking a similar experience, it works to relieve 
any apprehension they may have about their visit,” he explained. Children who have had a bad experience in the past or just have a case of the nerves are encouraged to come by for a “stop-in visit.” These visits are very informal and allow the child to acclimate to the surroundings and get to know the team before an upcoming appointment.
At NGPD comfort and safety are their number one priorities. “Whenever a child is being sedated it needs to be our only focus, which is why we do not schedule any other procedures on those days,” said Dr. Halper.
Living and opening his practice in the Gwinnett area had a lot to do with having children of his own. “My girls love visits to the numerous parks and playing in the fountains on hot days in Suwanee Town Center,” he continued, “the sense of family and openness in the community was a driving factor in opening our practice here.”
The community seems to feel the same way about him. With two former patients going on to study dentistry in college, Dr. Halper feels honored to have had the opportunity to inspire young people in our community. “What it really boils down to,” he said “is treating patients the way I would want my daughters to be treated.”
North Georgia Pediatric Dentistry
4530 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Ste. A
Sugar Hill, GA 30518
startlifesmiling.com
